Shloka 51
Śalya’s Objection to Sārathya and Duryodhana’s Conciliation (शल्यमन्यु-प्रशमनम् / Sārathyāṅgīkāra)
वधप्राप्तं तु तं शूरो नाहनद् धर्मवित्तदा । स्मृत्वा कुन्त्या वचो राजंस्तत एनं व्यसर्जयत्
vadhaprāptaṃ tu taṃ śūro nāhanad dharmavittadā | smṛtvā kuntyā vaco rājan tata enaṃ vyasarjayat ||
Sañjaya said: Though that warrior had come within reach of death, the heroic Karṇa did not strike him down then. Remembering the promise he had given to Kuntī, O King, he released him alive—choosing fidelity to his word and dharma over an easy kill in battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, dharma can require restraint: Karṇa honors his pledged word to Kuntī and spares an enemy who is otherwise killable, showing that integrity and vow-keeping can outweigh immediate tactical advantage.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Karṇa had Nakula in a vulnerable, death-deserving position, yet did not kill him. Remembering his promise to Kuntī, Karṇa releases Nakula alive.